PhD Website

Link: http://www.daisyrust.com/phd/

PhD Title

Expressivity and the Digital Puppet: Mechanical, Digital and Virtual Objects in Games, Art and Performance

PhD Summary: The aims of the investigation

The current PhD study explores the interface between traditional puppetry and emerging computer technologies, through historical, theoretical enquiry, case studies and practical experiments. The thesis will evaluate and test with users (puppeteers, audiences, animators and programmers) the expressive qualities of innovative interactive systems.

In this context 'innovative' means both emerging, new, technology or established technologies that are being re-defined by their communities of use and are finding new applications within the performing arts, particularly puppetry performance.

(1) I aim to explore the related contexts of digital puppetry, real-time animation, mimetic and non-mimetic kinetic objects, automata, 'cybernetic sculpture', performance systems and the technological interfaces to such phenomena.

(2) I aim to create evaluate and create puppet/object theatre performances/installations that use original software and hardware systems that are designed to explore 'performance expressivity', with reference to relevant historical, art, entertainment and technological precedents.

(3) I wish to theorise and form a taxonomy of 'expressivity' in relationship to digital domains and puppetry. By 'expressivity', I refer to different domains of action including: voice, face, body, hands and gesture.

A personal post to remember and celebrate the Life of Keith Grant: a loving husband, inspirational father and grandfather.

We are here today to remember and celebrate the Life of Keith Grant: a loving husband, inspirational father and grandfather.

Our dad was a man who, in the many phases of his life looked out for others, and worked hard to provide a stable and secure future for himself and his family.

We all have loving memories of his HUMOUR and SENSE of FUN, his dedication to our FAMILY, his political convictions, CIVIC SENSE and SERVICE TO COLLEAGUES, and again his wonderful SENSE OF HUMOUR.

We remember our Dad for his CIVIC DUTIES and SERVICE TO COLLEAGUES: he worked for the town (as an elected councillor), for schools (as a parent governor), he raised money for charities (with the Moose), gave his expertise and skills in erecting Christmas illuminations in the Town (his "star" is, we think still atop St Johns Church after 20 years). Importantly, as a long standing EEPTU (Trade Union) member and pensions trustee, Dad worked to secure equitable and generous pensions for himself and fellow Westland employees.

His HUMOUR: we remember Dad's love of performance, pantomimes and spreading fun to others (with early days concerts in St Peters Youth Club and Summerlands old folks home), to the Wessex pantos where he met our Mum.

As a young boy, I personally wet myself while watching our Dad and Dad's best man, Keith Burgess (who some of you know), mime and perform to the Goons "Ying Tong Song". We are playing that song at the end, so watch out if you are walking behind me.

As a FAMILY MAN: our Dad provided an inspiration to us and has given Kevin and I solid values to aspire to and live by with our own families. He can rest assured in our total conviction to look after our Mum as he wished us to. We are all very proud of him.

Bravely, without complaint, Dad battled a fearful illness with dignity and strength.

We sincerely thank all those who have looked after Dad during this time: the wonderful people at the MacMillan Unit (Yeovil), the incredible team at St Margaret's Hospice, and at the Salvation Army.

And of course our wonderful Mum. Their absolute oneness is an inspiration to us all.

It is difficult today to remember all the joy and laughter our Dad brought into our lives and to the wider world. We have our memories, Mum and Dad's stories and we really look forward to talking to you, and hearing your memories of our lovely Dad, over a sausage roll (in the Airfield Tavern).

Ian and Kevin Grant, for the Grant Family.

soundlines in quartz composer from Ian Grant on Vimeo.